What would you do?

[Bunn5]

I currently have Covid.

DD aged 9 has been doing daily LFT’s and negative so far. Today she woke up with a sore throat so I have kept her off school as that’s how my Covid started.

She dislikes the tests as most children do but will do it just in the nostrils. She does it herself as this is the only way she can complete the test. She will test at some point today but I’m worried about how effective her technique is and whether it’ll still be negative even if she has Covid.

What would you do? Assume she has Covid & isolate or keep testing and if negative & she’s well enough in herself, go about her normal activities? Obviously it’s half term next week and she is already in tears about missing out on several plans including a uk holiday and a friends birthday party. Equally wouldn’t want to spread Covid as we have stuck to the rules throughout and feel strongly about doing the right thing.

I'd certainly keep her away from school for the next couple of days and in over the weekend.That gives you four days to monitor how she is. Also, if she does a LFT every day, even if it's not quite right, a high viral load will hopefully be picked up. Might be worth being around while she's doing them.

Sadly covid means we all missed out on plans. We'd been planning to go away last weekend, somewhere we'd been wanting to go for a while. We both caught covid the week before - I can only chose four Sundays a year to take off, so that trip goes out the window for a while now.

My DS8 has/had covid (we are on day 9) he tested positive on the nostril only test, we can only get nose and throat swabs atm and he still tested positive using that just on both nostrils on day 7.

He hates the tests so have just kept him off until end of the ten 10s as a day or two difference doesn’t seem the hassle!

Is it half term next week where you are? I'd just keep her off.

The tests are a lot more sensitive than they have been given credit for. If she does both nostrils you should get an accurate result.

When my son (who is unable to take a test) felt unwell - I literally just tested his snot and it came up postive, as did a test that was literally just wafted in one nostril!!!

Given you have covid? I'd treat her as having covid. It can take a couple of days to show up on a lateral flow after symptoms. (I have covid, and got my clear postive 48 hours after hoarse voice and drippy nose.)

Hope you're all better soon.

I’m definitely keeping her at home for the next few days which is what I would’ve done any pre-Covid times.

Will get her to test each day and see what happens.

I would be amazed if it’s not Covid but equally don’t want to keep her at home unnecessarily.

My son has had Covid twice and both times it was picked up by doing nasal only swabs so I would say the tests would pick it up from just swabbing the nose. Hope she stays negative.